Phthalates and Bisphenol A: presence in blood serum and follicular fluid of italian women undergoing assisted reproduction techniques

Background: folliculogenesis is a strictly regulated process that may be affected by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through sometimes not so clear molecular mechanisms. Methods: we conducted a multicentric observational study involving six fertility centers across Italy, prospectively recruiting 122 women attending a fertility treatment. Recruited women had age ≤42 years, and normal ovarian reserve. Blood and follicular fluid samples were taken for EDCs measurement using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and each woman completed an epidemiological questionnaire. Results: The main EDCs found were monobutyl phthalate (MBP) (median blood: 8.96 ng/mL, follicular fluid 6.43 ng/mL), monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) (median blood: 9.16 ng/mL, follicular fluid 7.68 ng/mL) and bisphenol A (BPA) (median blood: 1.89 ng/mL, follicular fluid 1.86 ng/mL). We found that serum MBP concentration was significantly associated with the considered area (p < 0.001, adj. mean: 7.61 ng/mL, 14.40 ng/mL, 13.56 ng/mL; Area 1: Milan–Turin, Area 2: Rome–Naples; Area 3: Catania–Bari, respectively) but negatively with home plastic food packaging (p = 0.004). Follicular MBP was associated with irregular cycles (p = 0.019). No association was detected between EDCs and eating habits and other clinical and epidemiological features. Conclusions: This study represents the first Italian biomonitoring of plastic EDCs in follicular fluid, laying the basis for future prospective evaluation on oocyte quality before assisted reproduction techniques (ART

Isolation of carbonatogenic bacteria for biorestoration

Biomineralization of calcium carbonate by living organisms, including bacteria, has been studied for its potential use in conservation and restoration applications in Cultural Heritage. This study reports the carbonatogenic properties of three bacterial strains (Lysinibacillus fusiformis 3.20, Psychrobacillus psychrodurans 7Mo and Lederbergia lenta Vetro1) isolated from Il Giovane di Mozia sculpture (Mozia), the Etruscan mural paintings of the Tomba degli Scudi (Tarquinia), and a microbial community isolated from the Sant'Eustachio statue (Matera). The crystals precipitated have been investigated through a multi-analytical approach: Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analyses showed the formation of stable vaterite by the bacterial cultures, while the microbial community induced calcite precipitation. This approach aims to support the conservation-restoration efforts, taking into the account the requests of the conservation-restorers and the unique characteristics of each Cultural Heritage artwork

Cox regression for the decline of renal function including the levels of the soluble form of RAGE.

<p>Cox regression. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0060089#pone-0060089-t003" target="_blank">Table 3b</a> shows that replacing sRAGE rather than –374 A RAGE genotype in the same model showed in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0060089#pone-0060089-t003" target="_blank">table 3a</a>, only albuminuria, and HDL cholesterol are significantly associated with the decline of renal function.</p

Prevalence of medications according to genotypes.

<p>Medications: no differences have been found between patients carrying –374 T/T, T/A and A/A genotypes in terms of antihypertensive or antidiabetic therapy. A Pearson Chi square test was used, keeping a significant difference for p values <0.05.</p

Renal survival of patients carrying –374 T/T and the A allele.

<p>The figure shows that the subjects carrying the A allele present a faster decline of renal function than wild type patients. The main endpoint of the analysis was an increase of serum creatinine over 50% or the beginning of chronic dialysis. The figure shows a total of 40 events: 6 in T/T subjects, 34 in subjects carrying the A allele.</p

Renal survival of wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous patients for the A allele.

<p>The figure shows that T/A and A/A subjects present a faster decline of renal function than T/T patients. The main end point of the analysis was an increase of serum creatinine over 50% or the beginning of chronic dialysis. Figure shows a total of 40 events: 6 in T/T subjects, 26 in T/A subjects and 8 in A/A subjects.</p

Cox regression for the decline of renal function including -374 T/A RAGE.

<p>Cox regression. Table shows that –374 A RAGE genotype, together with albuminuria, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and BMI are significantly associated with the decline of renal function. –374 A allele for RAGE, albuminuria and LDL cholesterol are predictor of CKD progression, while HDL cholesterol and BMI are inversely associated with renal function decline.</p

Change in eGFR during FU according to TAp in all patients and in patients with eGFR <30 ml/min.

<p>Change in eGFR during FU according to TAp in all patients and in patients with eGFR <30 ml/min.</p

Characteristics of the three considered trials.

<p>Characteristics of the three considered trials.</p